Music fans were left disappointed and angry this week as the Loch Lomond Live festival scheduled for Drymen showground was cancelled with less than 10 days to go.

The two-day festival comprising more than 50 acts — including former Runrig frontman Donnie Munro and Highland pop band Tide Lines — was to take place on September 22-23.

A post from organisers Loch Lomond Live on their Facebook page, dated Tuesday, stated the Drymen location was no longer possible ‘due to issues outwith our control’.

An alternative venue, it added, was ‘in the process of being confirmed’ with an announcement ‘later this week’. However, that message was replaced by the cancellation announcement late on Wednesday.

Tickets for the Drymen Loch Lomond Live event, billed as taking place at Drymen Showground, were still available on the Skiddle website this week with an adult weekend ticket priced at £33.25 including booking fee and VIP tickets priced £50.30 including booking fee.

One music fan from Drymen who had bought tickets for the event told the Observer this week they had been left in the dark. She said: “Earlier this week the audience had effectively been asked to turn up at an unknown location with less than a fortnight to go. At that stage I no longer had faith that the event would go ahead.

“There were still a lot of questions about the festival, like shuttle bus arrangements from Drymen, which I had put to Loch Lomond Live on their Facebook page, but they blocked me from Facebook because I’d been asking these questions. It’s no way to run a festival. Fortunately, however, I was able to get a refund.

“This festival would have been a huge hit for the Stirling area at the end of the tourist season. People were coming from across Scotland and bringing money into the Drymen economy.”

It had been the second time the festival site had been changed. Luss had been the original venue, but in June landowners, Luss Estates, ruled that the festival was “not appropriate” for the site there forcing Loch Lomond Events to look elsewhere.

It is understood that almost 2000 tickets for Loch Lomond Live festival had already been sold, taking it to its break-even point.

A source close to the festival told the Observer yesterday (Thursday): “It’s been a shambles to be honest. Ticket holders have been treated very poorly in the weeks and days leading up to the event.

“They will get a refund for their tickets, but not for transport and accommodation costs. Bands and musicians have also been left out of pocket. They have been left without a gig that weekend.”

Forth and Endrick Conservative councillor Alistair Berrill said this week: “It’s all very puzzling. I feel really sorry for those who bought tickets - and it would have been a boost for local businesses. That said, there were mixed feelings about as it had the potential to cause disruption locally.”

An official statement released by Loch Lomond Live on Wednesday said: “Sadly, due to unforeseen circumstances, we have been unable to secure a replacement venue for Loch Lomond Live, and we are disappointed to announce it will not be going ahead. Full refunds are available from the point of purchase. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

A Stirling Council spokesman said in a statement yesterday: “Stirling Council had been in discussion with the organiser of this event but we were informed last week of their intention to withdraw from the application process.”